The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-09
THE GANGS LAST VICTIM
DR.. Fletcher Deposed from the Super
intendency of the Insane Hospital.
Dr. T. s. Galbraith, a Democratic Politician,
Elected to Succeed Him, and Immediately
Placed in Charge Of the Institution.

on the benevolent boards the trustees of the In
sane Hospital thought themselves in position
to wreak vengeance on those who helped to
pose their mismanagement of the institution.
AS DR.. Fletcher, the superintendent of the hos
pital, had been a profitable witness before the
Legislatures investigating committee, it was
only a matter of conjecture as to how long the
trustees would wait to remove him. in defiance
of public opinion. Dr. Harrison and Messrs.
Gapen and Burrell could have removed him at
once, but the tine not propitlous, for the
public demanded that DR.. Fletcher should stay.
The president and trustees regarded the extern
sion of their lease os power as something
that could not be destroyed, and believed that
they could wait until the storm, raised by their
misdoings had, at least for time.
abated. But it is, doubt, more
to the point to charge them with
not having the courage to satisfy ranking de-
sire for revenge by speedily removing the doc
tor. They then settled upon his removal. and it
was only q trial of patience to let few weeks
months go by without action. In any event
they decided not to retain him longer than June
z. However, when that date came around, it Is
supposed that for some cause other unanim-
ity of action could not be secured, for the board
practically announced that the election of
superintendent was postponed until the Septem-
Der meeting of the trustees. There two
considerations that contributed to this course.
and it is hard to say which had the most affect
in leading them to defer the election of DIR.
Fletchers successor, One OF them the
certainty as to whatsteps Governor Gray in
tended to take, for before that date he had asked
Harrison and Gapen both to resign. and the
other the difficulty in uniting a for
the superintendent.
The day before the meeting Of the board in
June, DIR. r. S. Galbraith of Seymour. was
ut the Bates House. dividing his time between
Phil Gapen and Mr.. Burrell. He would talk
with for awhile and then go to the other.
The next move would be for all three to consult
together DIR. Galbraitb then admitted to re-
porter that ne candidate for the superin-
tendency of the Insane Hospital but wanted
nothing said about it as there was ''often a slip
between the cup and the lip" Mr.. Gapen was
little more communicative He would not say
whether he was favorably impressed with the
doctor, nor did he know much about his antece-
dents The doctor Burrelfs candidate and
his election depended upon the probability of
securing the unanimous vote of the trustees.
1t is pres umed that DR.. Galbraith and his spon-
did not succeed in inducing Gapen to
pledge himself for the doctor
the morrow, that night the candidate
left for Seymour. About this time it seemed
probable that Harrison and Gapen were not
sure of being trustees any longer than 1t would
take Governor Gray to put in Messrs. Carson
and Flack their successors. TIE Governors
appointments complicated the question of the
duration of power and Harrison and Gapin con-
cluded il was better to nurse their revenge than
TO let it he met by the counter action of posi-
BILE new board of trustees. Then came the liti-
cation the part of Carson to get Harrison's
place. It Ia pending this iatter's de-
murer TO Carson's complaint for man
dsmns. but a decision is expected
shortly from Judge Terhure. of the
said DR.. Harrison, will be given SATURDAY.. OF
course IL is not my place to know what it will
be, but have a right to guess. l believe the
law is with me, and the Judge is able man."
The of Flack against Gapen of like pur-
port. pending in the County Circuit Court, Is to
be argued the same day. Whether Gapen has
the confidence DR.. Harrison feels Is not known.
but il is sumable that both, in voting for the
removal of DR.. Fletcher. yesterday, ted on
remaining AS trustees and keeping the new su-
perintendent in Office without the danger of
having him removed in short time by their
successors.
What trustee Burrel tried TO do in June he
succeeded yesterday in accom- plishng by bring
ing both Harrison and Gapen vote for his
didate for superintendent. DIR. Galbraith. When
the trustees once got at the removal of DR.
Fletcher and the election of his successor they
did their work quickly, so said DIR. Harrison
There was no removal he replied, in answer
to a reporters inquiry last night. Eve claim
that DIR. Fletcher's term had expired He
elected for four years and we have allowed him
ninety days bevond the expiration OF his term.
We simply elected new superintendent.
WAS there much discussion before the cleo
ton occurredT
"None at ALL"
"But you no doubt bad talked previously
about the removal of DIR. Fletcher
Yes We.did that, and l can say that our
action unanimous"
"Did Dr. Fletcher make any statement to the
boardW
None. except the regular monthly statement
of his transactions as superintendent. We had
a talk with him after the election. That was all.
He made address and sent no protest to the
board. He acquiesced, 1 believed. in the cleo
tion of his successor. and DIR. Galbraith and he
had long consultation after the matter
decided. Dr. Galbraith is now in possession of
the Hospital"
DR. Harrison, when he spoke of the address or
paper being presented by DR.. Fletcher, did not
take into account the following. which it is sup
posed was read to the board with the superin-
tendent's NOR thly report:
Finally 1 announce myself a candidate for an
other term have no argument to use beyond the
result of four years work, which has,
day in a population of one thousand to almost moth
ing in population of nearly 600.
Seeond-Reduced the expense in medicines two
thirds; the expense of gas one-third.
Third-Freed every ward from foul gases and bad
odors and given us hospital unexcelled for ceani-
Fourth-Reauced expense in food supply by gen.
eral dining system. enabling the State to
for three hundred more than it could otherwise
Fifth-Established and maintained a training
school for attendants: also Sunday school and day
school and regular Sunday service as restorative
measures to diseased minds.
olxth-keduced abuses IN male wards oy the lntro-
duetion of female attendants and matrons.
Finallv-Showing a larger ratio of persons dis
charged restored, and fewer deaths in the last than
In any year in the past No violent deaths oc-
cured
have not asked permitted, when it pro-
posed any one TO urge my claim upon you; If any
have done so. 1t has not been by my knowledge or
consent
Should you elect another superintendent at this
meeting, have but ore request, which / think you
could grant without doing more than complying with
honorable and fair business mauazemeut--aud that
is. that be permitted to continue in office the fifty
days of this fiscal year that fall cleaning and
Inventory be taken and that 1 may make out the
thirty annual report, which justice belongs to
me.
Neither OF the requests made by Dr. Fletcher
were granted by the board and the new super-
intendept was given immediate control OF the
hospital When asked if further changes were
to be made, DR. Harrison said none were con |
templated. The removals, therefore, probably |
will be- limited o two-the superntendsnt DR.